Post some forgotten luxury car features

"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12) 01/12/2018 at 19:19 • Filed to: None

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“Luxury” is weird in that manufacturers scramble to do new features, only to remove them in later models.

It seems they’re just trying to one-up each other with stuff nobody has thought of. But some of it is actually completely worthless. Post some of these!

One example is the switchable horn in the W126 S-Class Doug reviewed recently

There’s also that freaky seatbelt mechanism in American cars where it slides along the roof, no idea what’s with that

There are those corner markers on some Japanese cars that have disappeared I think

I’m going to throw in things like 4 wheel steering which was big in the 80s/90s then sort of disappeared until recently (arguably a luxury item)

My buddy’s Evo VI has a button to spray water onto the intercooler (definitely not a luxury thing)

Headlight wipers are absurd

Textured Soy Protein > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 19:37

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Motorized seatbelts in US-market cars were a way to avoid the expense of adding airbags. There was a period in the 80s & 90s where the US allowed the car companies to install either airbags or motorized seatbelts.

Spanfeller is a twat > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 19:43

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having cloth and other fibers as seat options rather than only leather... its been retaken by Land Rover in the Velar, with the cloth seats as the most expensive

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 19:45

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That stupid seatbelt thing was due to a law that mandated passive restraints, either with airbags or motorized belts. It was sort of pointless since you still had to do the lap belt manually.

VW had a cool system in the ‘70s that had the seatbelt attached to the door and no lap belt, just a big-ass bolster that kept you from submarining under the dash. No motors, nothing you had to fasten yourself to prevent dying.

After a test drive in a Corrado SLC I attempted to open the hood at the same time I opened the door. The damn seatbelt grabbed me by the neck and stuffed my face into the dash, trapping me until someone stopped laughing and released it for me. At that moment I swore I would never buy a new car with those infernal things (and should I buy one, those fuckers are getting ripped out and replaced with conventional belts).

Die-Trying > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 19:49

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swivel seats, push button shifting,

glass roofs......

spare tire covers.....

electric start......

LongbowMkII > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 19:52

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My mk2 had an optional flashlight in the center console

syaieya > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 20:10

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Man Doug got his hands on a 126? Dude needs to hold off on the cars i like lest they all spike in price.

Features though.

Motorized fender markers when you reverse were a thing. The little side windows you could swivel are a cool thing. And a matched full size spare.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 20:11

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When I put my car in reverse the passenger mirror tips down so I can see the curb when parallel parking.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > LongbowMkII 01/12/2018 at 20:14

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I have one that hides in a charging socket in my glove box.

Dusty Ventures > LongbowMkII 01/12/2018 at 20:27

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My dad’s Town & Country has one of those

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Die-Trying 01/12/2018 at 20:40

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These are exactly the type of answers I was hoping for! This is good kinja

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 20:42

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My STi also has the IC sprayer. Although I have yet to try it out, it most definitely seems a bit unnecessary lol.

I think the wipers for headlights are a good example of this.

Matt Nichelson > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/12/2018 at 20:52

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Can’t forget elaborate hood ornaments either.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 21:28

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- Umbrella hiding inside the door (Rolls Royce?)
-Built in vacuum cleaner (Honda Odyssey - yes, vacuuming up after your kids is nice, but why do you need to vacuum in some remote location?)
- Flip up headlights (yes, I get the aesthetics, but don’t they end up breaking half the time?)
- Self leveling suspension (nice, but it’s definitely going to be expensive to fix when it inevitably breaks)
- “Wood” interior trim bits (Acura - it seems like every Acura I’ve ridden in has some sort of “wood” in the interior).
- Automatic windshield wipers (I’ve rarely heard that they work well)
- Ford’s “open the rear hatch/tailgate when you kick under the bumper” thing. I recall a Canadian automotive journalist having issues with this when he was shoveling snow next to the vehicle. It kept opening on him.
- Lights that project the car logo downward next to the running board. Sure, a light, but why does it need to be a logo?
- The Dodge Caliber’s “cooled” glove box. It ran an A/C duct to it, but it never really got that cold.

Ssfancyfresh > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 21:36

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Motorized self extending radio antenna.

Sooooo fancy

RPM esq. > LongbowMkII 01/12/2018 at 21:38

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Also, I’m pretty sure this was at least an option if not standard on every BMW back to the E21...I’ve owned 5 (E30, E34, E36, two E46s) and all 5 had it.

RPM esq. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/12/2018 at 21:41

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Love this feature—my Merc does it and so did my E46. Every carmaker should do this but I’ve only seen it on Germans.

Under_Score > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 21:44

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My RAV4 has an actual power outlet behind the center console. Like, one that you can plug a charging cube into. I’m appalled at how few cars have that, especially because my phone still has fast charging when plugged into the outlet.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 21:46

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Having your chauffeur drive you around so you can exchange pretentious condiments with your fellow elitist country club members.

Recovering Gaijin > Nauraushaun 01/12/2018 at 22:14

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Opera lights.

Hmm. Someone here would know: was there ever an electric wing vent?

My 300SDs all had >3< cigar lighters in them. Yes: cigar. Said so right in the manual. 1 in the front( middle) ashtray, and 1 in each of the rear doors. THATS class right there, folks!

Nauraushaun > Under_Score 01/13/2018 at 00:46

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That’s cool!

Nauraushaun > Ssfancyfresh 01/13/2018 at 00:46

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No longer a thing?

Nauraushaun > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/13/2018 at 00:48

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All of these sound silly, but I’m sure they’re all still in production ;)

Nauraushaun > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/13/2018 at 00:49

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Oh so the Evo and STi had it?!

I remember a mechanic once filled it up with windscreen washer fluid :\

Nobody has ever needed headlight washers. I really think it’s just a status thing, sitting there all proud at the front of the car. I always thought it was cool, but it’s not necessary.

Nauraushaun > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/13/2018 at 00:49

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That’s cool as! That’s not bad! I do that manually on my MR2 with the power mirrors.

Nauraushaun > syaieya 01/13/2018 at 00:51

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I’m not a fan of the full size spare. As someone who’s never needed their spare, having a full size would have robbed me of a little space and fuel every single kilometer I’ve ever driven. And for absolutely no benefit.

Nauraushaun > LongbowMkII 01/13/2018 at 00:51

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Nothing wrong with that. Cool!

Nauraushaun > Die-Trying 01/13/2018 at 00:54

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Well done sir! It seems the Germans are in charge of faking luxury now, but of course it was once the Americans.

Swivel seats look fantastic. Especially for a luxury car where the buyer base is typically older.

Not sure about the buttons. Cars are getting more ways these days to change gear, the result is that it’s becoming less intuitive.

Glass roofs have definitely made a come back!

External spare tyres are so convenient, shame they went out of fashion. Manufacturers would love them if they could get away with it.

Nauraushaun > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 01/13/2018 at 00:56

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I should’ve known, typical of America. Sounds awful.

Nauraushaun > Spanfeller is a twat 01/13/2018 at 01:00

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Cloth is the most expensive?! Madness! Better be damn nice cloth.

Nauraushaun > Textured Soy Protein 01/13/2018 at 01:00

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It sounds like a horrible waking nightmare

Nauraushaun > Recovering Gaijin 01/13/2018 at 01:16

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Opera lights? Wing vent? You’ve lost me, please explain!

I’d call that stuff a bit different. People don’t smoke as much now - it’s more a change in buyer’s habits than a pointless feature that disappeared.

syaieya > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 01:29

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See i fall in the opposite boat, ive used my spare personally atleast 3 times. As well as just as many times for my sibling.

Not only do i carry a spare but i carry a racing jack as well bwcause of how unstable the emergencyjack is.

And yeah it cost some to carry it, but the times ive needed it have been made so much more bearable.

Recovering Gaijin > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 01:40

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I feel old...

I don’t care a bit about opera lights, but wing vents were great for adjusting airflow. A boon to smokers, too

Nauraushaun > Recovering Gaijin 01/13/2018 at 02:35

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I don’t think I’ve ever seen those on a car. Australia missed some of those crazy American things.

I think an opera light on a landau top makes me angrier than anything else in this world.

Lawyer_Applegate > Recovering Gaijin 01/13/2018 at 03:19

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Yes - Lincoln Town Car had an electric wing vent.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 06:14

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Also my climate control lets me select vent/defrost and floor/vent/defrost as options, which I’ve never seen in any other car

KevlarRx7 > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 08:14

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Swivel seats belong in tractors only.

Ssfancyfresh > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 08:34

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I don’t think so. Everything I’ve seen lately is either fixed mast, embedded, or shark fin.

Spanfeller is a twat > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 11:14

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Its got wool seats

Spanfeller is a twat > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 11:18

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Its for vegans and vegetarians and people that find it disgusting that 19 cows die to make a Bentley’s interior...

Me personally I’d rather have the wool seats and a mix of ultrasuede and more metal trim in the cabin.

Recovering Gaijin > Lawyer_Applegate 01/13/2018 at 12:16

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Lincoln. I should have known. Thanks for that. Would be cool to incorporate in a resto-mod build. Use stepper motors controlled thru an arduino. When you start it, if rain sensors report dry and temp is over 50°, they open up. Have them open more at low speeds. A needless complication, but good geeky fun.  

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 13:22

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Yeah I think they both had it just because the other did lol. I have to imagine that stuff might be flammable or at least not very good to spray into an intercooler. I do wonder though if water would freeze in that tank, I can’t imagine it’s heated or anything.

Lawyer_Applegate > Recovering Gaijin 01/13/2018 at 13:34

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The thing about Lincoln’s electric windows is, they slide up and down instead of pivoting in and out. I’ve never ridden in one, so I don’t know how well they work.

Speaking of needless complications, I am looking for a skilled fabricator who can tell me how punitively expensive it would be to modify the doors and windows of my ‘79 Delta 88 two-door to incorporate wing windows. You and I should start a 12-step group...

Recovering Gaijin > Lawyer_Applegate 01/13/2018 at 17:10

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I’m in. Drove air-cooled Beetles for years and would catch flack for not converting them to 1-piece.

Converting from 1-piece to 2 will be fairly finicky I think: getting the front guide correctly located will try patience. I would look at the windows on a 4-door: you might luck out & be able to use the rear ones.

Nauraushaun > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/13/2018 at 17:57

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Haha good points all. We don’t get freezing down undah, but I’m sure it can’t be good for it

Nauraushaun > Spanfeller is a twat 01/13/2018 at 18:12

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I’m stuck in old cars and my opinion doesn’t matter.

Leather sounds nice. That was 90s luxury.

Has any car ever had metal in the cabin? I see so much fake aluminum even on touch surfaces. Dumb af

Nauraushaun > Ssfancyfresh 01/13/2018 at 18:12

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Interesting.

Nauraushaun > KevlarRx7 01/13/2018 at 18:12

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Convenience is for farmers only!?

Nauraushaun > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/13/2018 at 18:13

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You mean a mix of windshield air and face air?

Die-Trying > Matt Nichelson 01/13/2018 at 18:19

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YES.........

Die-Trying > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 18:32

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the older stuff was nothing BUT metal.

it wasnt until the LATE 60s that they gave you a padded surface at only the corner of the dash to provide a soft surface to bounce your head.......

Spanfeller is a twat > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 18:36

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Only seen real metal in show cars... But yeah

Leather is pretty nice, but wool seats must feel amazing... I am in the group of people that find the 19 cow statistic disturbing... But I’m a meat eater and I’m not gonna bother you for liking leather!

Lawyer_Applegate > Recovering Gaijin 01/13/2018 at 18:46

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Hmmm... maybe front-to-rear and side-to-side?

From this?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nauraushaun 01/13/2018 at 22:36

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Yeah, if you look at the left side of my HVAC panel you can see that there is a separate toggle button for each vent position. You can have any combination of the three, rather than the standard vent positions most cars give you:

Recovering Gaijin > Lawyer_Applegate 01/14/2018 at 06:42

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Hmm. May be tougher to find than I thought: that rear looks almost trapezoidal

Lawyer_Applegate > Recovering Gaijin 01/14/2018 at 14:15

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Yeah. I’m thinking custom glass, to go with the custom metal fabrication. Ugh...

Recovering Gaijin > Lawyer_Applegate 01/14/2018 at 16:43

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Maybe not. Is the glass flat? If so, it won’t be tea bag. If it is, then look at GM platform sisters. Hmm. Is there a database of side windows somewhere?

Nauraushaun > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/14/2018 at 21:38

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Oh that’s cool as!

Nauraushaun > Spanfeller is a twat 01/14/2018 at 21:40

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Yeah like I said I’m broken. My second car was a 300ZX with leather seats. My family never had luxury, it was one of the nicest cars I’d been in and a huge jump from my shitty Pulsar.

Ever since, leather has been ingrained in my head as a symbol of quality.

Don’t make it true ;)

Nauraushaun > Die-Trying 01/14/2018 at 21:40

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Haha I totally knew that! I didn’t even think when I posed that question.

Somehow plastic took over every surface and metal completely disappeared.